Randy Edsall and Frank Spaziani, the head coaches for the Maryland Terrapins and Boston College Eagles, respectively, are breathing a little easier after news that each would be getting back star players next year.

All three players were graded by NFLDraftScout.com heading into the season as possible top 100 selections in the 2012 draft.

The 6-4, 220 pound Tate earned his all-conference selection in 2010 while playing at free safety. When Edsall became head coach he asked the senior to make the move to the "Star" linebacker position. Tate took to the position quickly, registering 35 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss in just four games before a leg injury ended his season prematurely. Tate also intercepted two passes and forced a fumble in his brief 2011 season.

Harris, an instinctive 5-09, 216 pound back, was held out of the first three games of the season as he attempted to recover from a knee injury suffered in November of the previous season. He played in the next two, but wasn't able to finish against Wake Forest. Though he "only" rushed for 135 yards on the season, it was enough to put him at the top of school's all-time rusher list with 3,725 career yards.

The 6-3, 305 pound Ramsey suffered through a variety of injuries in 2011, missing time due to his back and shoulder, as well as the foot injury which ultimately cost him the season. Projected by some to enjoy the type of breakout senior season that helped BJ Raji and Ron Brace emerge as highly regarded prospects, Ramsey instead logged just two tackles on the season.

The injuries dropped all three players from NFLDraftScout.com's player rankings for the 2012 draft. A return to health, however, could make all three prospects factors for the class of 2013.

What already is shaping up to be a weak class of outside linebackers got worse with news Sunday that Maryland star Kenny Tate will undergo season-ending surgery.

Tate made the announcement via a statement released by the team. The release, which includes comments from head coach Randy Edsall, gives no mention of what Tate's specific injury was or when it occurred. The release did mention that Tate is "expected to be out of action six to nine months."

"I recently had a chance to sit down with Coach Edsall, my family and the medical staff to discuss my options," Tate said. "This is the best course of action to get healthy and get back on the field next season."

Tate, 6-4 and 220 pounds, had been a standout safety for the Terps prior to making the switch to outside linebacker this season. Playing in Edsall's "star" outside linebacker role, Tate had recorded 35 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble in four starts this season.

Tate is expected to apply for a medical redshirt and be allowed to return to the field for Maryland next year.

My fellow Senior Analyst Chad Reuter does a nice job of breaking down the prospects in today's bowl games in this article , but I wanted to take a few moments to highlight a few others in today's trio of bowl games.

The most exciting prospects on the field for East Carolina and Maryland in today's Military Bowl happen to play the same position in receivers Dwayne Harris (ECU) and Torrey Smith (Maryland).

Kenny Tate , a junior free safety who has made some splashy plays this season and could be peeking ahead to the NFL, will have Harris in his sights.

For those looking for a sleeper in this contest, keep an eye on East Carolina left tackle Willie Smith . His athleticism is intriguing.

By listing Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor in my current first round mock draft , you probably get the idea of how high I believe Taylor is viewed by pro scouts. The 6-4, 340 pound defensive tackle projects nicely in the 4-3 and 3-4 scheme which could see him drafted higher than infinitely more famous DTs Stephen Paea and Drake Nevis.

In the Texas Bowl, however, I'll be focusing on a trio of Illinois underclassmen, all of whom are very much exploring their draft options.

Inside linebacker Martez Wilson jumps off the tape. He's the most exciting combination of size (6-4, 250) and athleticism of any draft-eligible inside linebacker I've scouted this year. He remains a work in progress in terms of instincts, but is one of the few senior/junior ILBs I see as a potential standout in the NFL.

Wilson is certainly helped by up front by one of the faster rising DT prospects in the country in Corey Liuget . The 6-3, 300 pounder is starting to blossom and earned Second Team All-Big Ten accolades this year with 54 tackles, 8.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks.

Running back Mikel LeShoure is one of a host of backs fighting to be ranked second behind Alabama's Mark Ingram as possible 2011 franchise runners. His thick frame and surprising burst could help him achieve that status.

Finally, in the Arizona-Oklahoma State showdown of the Alamo Bowl, I'll can't wait to see these two high-powered offenses go at it. There are a host of prospects to watch (including some guy named Blackmon), most of whom Chad highlighted in his preview (again, the link is here ) but one he mentions just in passing is Wildcat receiver Juron Criner , a 6-4 210 pound vertical threat that star quarterback Nick Foles targets often. I'm not as high on Criner (or Foles, for that matter) that some others seem to be, but each is considering making the jump to the NFL and therefore I'll be watching them closely tonight -- as should you.